And we’re now down to the last day of the NCAA Season 92 Men’s Volleyball Tournament!

Saturday afternoon at the sands of the Subic Park Hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Rey and Relan Taneo of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas once again completed a sweep of the elimination round via a 21-17, 21-13 win over Sam Damian and Alfredo Pagulong of the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, to secure an outright Finals berth for the second straight year.

In the first stage of the stepladder, the EAC pair of Joshua Mina and Paolo Lim were able to outlast Mapua’s Sam Damian and Alfredo Pagulong in three sets, 21-19, 29-31, 15-12.

With the Altas gaining a direct ticket to the Finals and earning a twice-to-beat advantage, they now await the winner of the final stepladder semis match between the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.

The battle for the last Finals berth is scheduled at 8:00am today. The championship round will then follow afterwards.

Here are the rest of the results for the last day of the elimination round:

Jeo Ambohot lifts Letran up the stepladder

Jeo Ambohot did not want to see Rey Nambatac end his NCAA career today, cleaning up his captain’s miss to lift the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights past the Arellano University Chiefs, 70-68, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The win paved the way for Letran to move to the next stage of the stepladder. The Knights will take on the San Sebastian Golden Stags on Tuesday, October 24 at 3:30pm.

Ambohot, who broke his right wrist last August 15, proved to be the difference maker in the contest. Down 67-68 with 7.6 ticks left, Nambatac went for a drive but overcooked his layup. Fortunately for Nambatac and the rest of the Knights, Ambohot was there for the putback to seal the win.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, good job,” expressed Nambatac.

Nambatac, who is playing in his final year, finished with a game-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

It was a tough outing for Letran though as the Chiefs did not back down.

Down by as much as 13 points, the backcourt tandem of Levi Dela Cruz and Rence Alcoriza singlehandedly willed the Chiefs back. The two went on a 14-8 run with Alcoriza scoring 11 during the rally that gave Arellano a 66-64 edge with 2:27 left. JP Calvo though answered right back with a triple but free throws by Alcoriza with 7.6 seconds remaining gave Arellano a one-point cushion.

Usually soft-spoken, the PBA legend was filled with humor after the game, throwing out nicknames to one of the heroes of the game, Levi dela Cruz.

“He’s a mini version of [Jiovani] Jalalon,” quipped Codinera about his 5-foot-7 guard.

“The Mini Bus Driver! Mini Bus! Coaster!”

Jalalon is one of the most beloved student-athletes Arellano has produced. Dubbed the Bus Driver during his collegiate days that saw him steer the Chief to two Finals appearances, the moniker has spun off to Kent Salado, who is called “The Conductor” of Arellano. And the “Bus” family welcomed its third member in Dela Cruz.

“For a rookie, outstanding siya. I think he’s the third best player in our team,” remarked Codinera, with Salado and Lervin Flores as his top two student-athletes, “Napakalaki ng future niya.”

Dela Cruz, a former NU Bulldog, finished the game with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting to go along with five assists. And for him, his outing was a result of him listening to the advice of his seniors Jalalon and Salado.

Arellano cruises past Mapua to enter playoffs

Midway through the season, the Arellano University were down. Making things worse, Kent Salado had been diagnosed with a partial tear on his right MCL a week ago.

But the Chiefs were still not out, hammering the Mapua University Cardinals, 81-64, to at least force a playoff, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

“Medyo blessing in disguise yung na postpone na game, nilagay sa last game. So malaking bagay yun. I think this is the first time na nag-four games in a row na nanalo,” said Chiefs head coach Jerry Codinera as this game was supposed to take place last September 12.

With the win, Arellano assured themselves of a playoff spot with a 9-9 record. Letran need to beat Saint Benilde on Tuesday afternoon, while San Sebastian have to avoid a Perpetual upset on Thursday to tie the Chiefs.

“I think he is our third best player. Napakalaki ng future niya and his shot selection is still improving. He is like a mini version of Jalalon,” added Codinera.

The game was practically over by the second frame, as Arellano led by as much as 12 points during the second frame. And the lead would go to as high as 21 points in the final frame.

Super senior Lervin Flores anchored the Arellano defense with seven rebounds and two blocks, to go along with 14 points. Moreover, he gave a highlight for the game, throwing down a thunderous jam in the opening frame.

The Chiefs shot at an excellent 45 percent clip for the game, compared to just 37 percent for the Cardinals.

Jaja Santiago wins second PVL MVP tiara

Incoming National University super senior Jaja Santiago continued her spectacular year with another plum to take home.

For leading the National University Lady Bulldogs to an unbeaten record in the elimination round, the 6-foot-5 spiker was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 PVL Women’s Collegiate Conference, Sunday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

This is the 21-year-old’s second MVP after winning the same plum a year ago.

Santiago posted an average of 14.4 points on a 40.82 attack efficiency for the conference.

Joining the Queen Bulldog in the all-PVL team are her teammates Risa Sato and Gayle Valdez. Sato was adjudged the second best middle blocker for the tournament, while Valdez received the best libero honor.

Adamson transferee Eli Soyud was named the first best open spiker for the tournament.

Arellano Lady Chiefs’ Regine Arocha and Rhea Ramirez won the second best open spiker and best setter award respectively.

Completing the best of the best this season are Jeannette Villareal and Toni Rose Basas of FEU; the former was named the first best middle blocker, while the latter as the best opposite spiker.